Preparing a Tooth for Extraction so It Can Be as Stress-Free as Possible

Posted on 6/30/2017 by Canyon Oral and Facial Surgery

Finding out that you have to get a tooth pulled can be a high anxiety moment, particularly if you are afraid of the dentist to begin with. Yes, after it is pulled there will be some pain, but you don't have to experience any pain while the tooth is being pulled.

As a matter of fact, you can actually get your tooth pulled in a very relaxed state. That, my friends, is because the days of painful dentistry are gone. Now dentists have the tools they need to make your extraction as stress-free as possible.

What Can the Dentist Do for Me?

First, you should know there are two kinds of extractions; simple and surgical. A simple extraction can be performed when the tooth is still visible in the mouth. This is typically done if you have a badly damaged tooth that the dentist can still see above your gum line.

A surgical extraction is performed by an oral surgeon rather than your family dentist. Teeth that have to be removed surgically are usually a result of the tooth not growing in all the way or a broken tooth that can no longer be seen.

With either procedure, there are steps the dentist can take to make the process easier on you. For a simple extraction, you can receive anti-anxiety medication. This medication will cause you to relax, but will allow you to be conscious so you can talk to your dentist or answer questions he or she may have.

With a surgical extraction, the dentist can do the same, but with certain medical conditions the dentist may recommend general anesthesia. This means that you will be unconscious during the surgery.

Once the procedure is completed, you will receive a prescription for pain medication if you had a surgical extraction. For a simple extraction, over-the-counter medication should work just fine.